Marienburg Castle, A Post Script to our Denmark Adventure

Although my post regarding Denmark was the longest ever, it was incomplete!  There was still more story to tell.  However, since I figured most readers were "counting Zzzzs" by then, I figured I'd end it there and have to do an extra post regarding the final leg of our trip.

The last leg of our return to Frankfurt--dampened by the tediously long 5-hour-drive-to-find-a-hotel-in-the-busiest-travel-time-of-the-year!!!--found us determined to upgrade our attitude by finding at least one more wonderful, historic site before returning home.  By chance I noticed a road sign indicating a castle nearby, and we took the next exit.  I must state here that sometimes these castles are neat, and other times they are mere ruins or some type of dorky residence improperly labeled a castle!  In other words, just because it's titled a castle,
it may be a true "wild goose chase."   ("Wild castle chase?")

I think the gods must have been smiling upon us after the long night before, 

because we certainly found a castle to remember!  

Marienburg Castle 

http://www.schloss-marienburg.com/en/

was a 40th birthday present to Marie, the wife of King George V of Hanover, in the mid 1850s.  They only lived in the castle a short time before the Prussians took control, and they left, seeking exile.  It was vacant for over 80 years, which explains its excellent condition.

I thought we'd died and gone to Disneyland!  Anyway, it was such a pleasant surprise to stumble on a bona fide castle that we hadn't even researched first!  It couldn't have been more perfect! 

Beyond this entrance is a huge courtyard, surrounded on all four sides by the castle.

There was a restaurant, caterers were setting up for a wedding, 

and there was even an ice cream vendor on the grounds. 

We were able to take a tour of many of the rooms.  Although the tour was in German, we wore headsets and were able to listen to an English recording regarding each room.  It was really well done.  It's just too bad that photos were not allowed as the interior

was just as AMAZING as the exterior!!!

As we exited, I wanted to point out the thickness of the impressive, fortress-like walls!

Goodbye, fairy-tale castle!

Just when we thought we were finished with an adventure, Elder G had one of his own. As we were in the parking lot, he noticed this antique VW and struck up a conversation with its owner.

The man was very proud to share all the details of its age, etc.

The man had restored the entire vehicle.  The frame dated to 1934; the body to 1961!  Elder G was especially excited to share this "find" with our nephew who collects old VWs.

Elder G was impressed with the car; I was impressed with his ability to converse in German with this man and his wife for 20 minutes!!!  It was a fun ending to an exciting afternoon discovery!